SAT Subject Tests?
Asked by Matt BHi, I was wondering about the significance of SAT subject tests. I am just finishing off my sophomore year and I have been thinking about the various standardized tests I need to be taking next year. I heard from one person that the SAT subject tests are only necessary if you have low scores in some region on the SAT or ACT and want to improve that (doesn't apply to me, got a 34 on the ACT). Then someone else says that you should take them no matter what to make colleges think that you have an enhanced interest in some specific subject. Which is really the right answer? I was thinking about taking the second math one and the chemistry one, and I heard they weren't very hard so it's not a huge deal or anything making the choice whether to take them or not.
Favorite Answer
Answered by yofatcat1
Well, based on what you've said about yourself, you probably want to attend a really good college, because most people have not even thought about taking SAT or ACT sophomore year, much less get a 34. All good schools require at least 2 SAT II's, and schools like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton want 3. Some schools would take the ACT with writing in the place of SAT and SAT II's, but a lot of schools still want the SAT II's even if you've taken ACT with writing. So I suggest that you really start looking into them if you want to take 3 so that you have adequate time to prepare for all of them. And if you want to take a language with listening, it's especially important because they're only offered in November so you must take it junior year if you're planning to apply early decision or early action to any school, since you should have taken all tests before October of senior year.
Well, based on what you've said about yourself, you probably want to attend a really good college, because most people have not even thought about taking SAT or ACT sophomore year, much less get a 34. All good schools require at least 2 SAT II's, and schools like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton want 3. Some schools would take the ACT with writing in the place of SAT and SAT II's, but a lot of schools still want the SAT II's even if you've taken ACT with writing. So I suggest that you really start looking into them if you want to take 3 so that you have adequate time to prepare for all of them. And if you want to take a language with listening, it's especially important because they're only offered in November so you must take it junior year if you're planning to apply early decision or early action to any school, since you should have taken all tests before October of senior year.
